Andre Johnson a Twice-Annual Terror

Facing Andre Johnson is one of the formidable tasks for Indianapolis this Sunday as it seeks its ninth victory. Johnson had a monster game against the Colts in November and stands as one of the most potent receivers to face the Colts in more than 60 years of play. Containing him is key this weekend.

INDIANAPOLIS – When Indianapolis rallied from a 21-3 deficit for a 27-24 victory at Houston in November, Colts personnel were quick to tab the contest a “tale of two halves.”

What helped put the Colts in an 18-point hole was the play of Andre Johnson, whose “tale of a career” against the Colts is one of the most potent ever produced by an opposing player.

Johnson had nine receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting with all but two catches and 39 yards coming in the first half.

He snared 62- and 41-yard scoring passes on Houston’s first and fourth passes of the night, then added a five-yarder seconds before intermission – a performance that punctuates the types of days he has had against Indianapolis.

With 114 receptions for 1,504 yards and nine touchdowns in 18 outings with the Colts, the former third overall pick in the 2003 draft has wondrous numbers in the series.

Only Buffalo’s Andre Reed (128 receptions, 28 games) had more receptions against the Colts than Johnson, while New England’s Stanley Morgan (1,615 yards, 21 games) joins Reed (1,718) for the most yards against the franchise.

Only Reed (16), Morgan (13) and Miami’s Nat Moore (11, 22 games) have more career touchdowns against the Colts than does Johnson.

“Just better execution, technique, fundamentals,” said Chuck Pagano on what it would take to counteract Johnson this Sunday. “(Keep your) eyes on your luggage, just doing all the little things (you) have to do in order to contain a great player like Andre.”

Johnson is the only NFL player with at least 60 receptions in each of his first eight seasons. He is five receptions away from joining Wes Welker as the only players with five career 100-reception seasons.

While he and Marvin Harrison are the only players with three 100-reception, 1,500-yard seasons, Johnson (32, 11th year) and Jerry Rice are the only receivers to have one such year in a 10th season or later.

Andre Johnson Against the Colts

Date

Target

Rec.

Yds.

Avg.

TD

10/26/03

5

4

29

7.3

0

12/28/03

7

5

51

10.2

0

11/14/04

10

6

59

9.8

0

12/12/04

5

3

34

11.3

0

11/13/05

8

4

42

10.5

0

09/17/06

5

4

56

14.0

1

12/24/06

5

4

48

12.0

0

12/23/07

11

7

74

10.6

1

10/05/08

11

9

131

14.6

1

11/16/08

5

4

55

13.8

0

11/08/09

13

10

103

10.3

0

11/29/09

9

5

67

13.4

0

09/12/10

5

3

33

11.0

0

11/01/10

10

7

106

15.1

1

09/11/11

11

7

95

13.6

1

12/16/12

13

11

151

13.7

1

12/30/12

17

12

141

11.8

0

11/03/13

13

9

229

25.4

3

TOTAL

163

114

1504

13.2

9

“I just look at guys like Andre, Ed (Reed), Reggie (Wayne), these guys work and the way they take care of their bodies. They don’t take time off,” said Pagano. “They’ve got great passion and love for the game. Their desire to win championships keeps them grinding.”

Johnson’s 83.0 yards per game average ranks second in history among players with 100 outings (88.3, Calvin Johnson). He is one of four active players in the category’s top 10 and three who are not active – Rice, Lance Alworth, Michael Irvin – have a second residence in Canton.

“Talented receiver, you got to put some roll coverage on him,” said Greg Manusky. “You got to make sure that you double him in certain situations. Good football player. He’s got a lot of catches.”

Johnson helped the Texans climb into being two-time division champions. He is enduring personally in a hard-scrabble season where Houston has lost seven straight one-possession games and sits at 2-11.

Arian Foster is out. The head coach has been dismissed, and two quarterbacks have shared playing time. For Johnson, though, the beat goes on.

“I think we need consistency everywhere as a team,” said Johnson. “I think that’s why we’re in the situation that we’re in – because we haven’t been consistent as a team. I just think everyone has to be more consistent in their play in order for us to start to win games.

“It’s been tough. We just have to keep a positive attitude and try to keep moving forward.

You just can’t hang your head on it. You just have to keep moving forward.”

Intro: The Colts put together their most dominant performance of the season on Monday night, in a resounding 41-10 victory over the Jets. Here were live in-game updates from the Colts (6-6) taking on the Jets (3-9) in Week 14.

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